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London, New York discourage driving: Why not Shanghai?
By Mary Frances Dunham |
July 12, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
Dear Shanghai Daily,
(I'm writing in response to) "City looks to resolve parking lot shortage" (Metro A4, July 2).
The news that Shanghai is considering increasing parking facilities for cars suggests that the city welcomes cars.
In the meantime, London has succeeded in discouraging cars from entering its center by charging them.
New York City failed to pass a similar plan, but the city has increased disincentives to drivers who enter the heart of the city. For instance, Time Square is now fully closed to car traffic and bicycle lanes continue to expand throughout the city, though their increased number takes space from cars in traffic as well as from curbside parking.
Many other cities around the world are using disincentives to car driving by simply allowing it to be difficult and unpleasant.
Frustration in searching for a parking space in Manhattan encourages many drivers to choose public transit.
The lack of on-street parking spaces, the high prices charged by parking lots and the increase of on-street safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists all show New York's sincere concern for "greening" its urban mobility.
Such cities as Bogota, Paris, Berlin and others around the world have experienced success in reforming how they distribute their public space by giving increasing favor to non drivers.
Shanghai is blessed with beautiful parks, both large and small, generously scattered throughout the city. Imagine what Shanghai would be like if these parks become parking lots!
(Mary Frances Dunham, member of the Institute for Transportation Development and Policy, Transportation Alternatives, and East Coast Greenway/USA)
(I'm writing in response to) "City looks to resolve parking lot shortage" (Metro A4, July 2).
The news that Shanghai is considering increasing parking facilities for cars suggests that the city welcomes cars.
In the meantime, London has succeeded in discouraging cars from entering its center by charging them.
New York City failed to pass a similar plan, but the city has increased disincentives to drivers who enter the heart of the city. For instance, Time Square is now fully closed to car traffic and bicycle lanes continue to expand throughout the city, though their increased number takes space from cars in traffic as well as from curbside parking.
Many other cities around the world are using disincentives to car driving by simply allowing it to be difficult and unpleasant.
Frustration in searching for a parking space in Manhattan encourages many drivers to choose public transit.
The lack of on-street parking spaces, the high prices charged by parking lots and the increase of on-street safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists all show New York's sincere concern for "greening" its urban mobility.
Such cities as Bogota, Paris, Berlin and others around the world have experienced success in reforming how they distribute their public space by giving increasing favor to non drivers.
Shanghai is blessed with beautiful parks, both large and small, generously scattered throughout the city. Imagine what Shanghai would be like if these parks become parking lots!
(Mary Frances Dunham, member of the Institute for Transportation Development and Policy, Transportation Alternatives, and East Coast Greenway/USA)
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